I totally get why this won a Newbery Honor. This is a compulsively readable story with excellent writing. Based on the nature of the story (alcoholism, colorism, poverty, etc.) it would be easy for this to veer into a tone that is too heavy to attract middle grade readers, but Williams perfectly straddles this line. She treats her themes with the seriousness they deserve while embedding them with friendship and humor. Genesis is an incredibly endearing yet complex character who you can’t help but root for.